KARACHI: Around 10 climbers, including renowned Nepali mountaineer Nims Dai and Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi from Hunza, are feared missing after an avalanche struck their expedition on Broad Peak (8,047 metres) in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range on Thursday.
According to initial reports received by the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the avalanche hit the team around midday, after which all members of the expedition lost communication.
The expedition comprises five Nepali climbers led by Nims Dai, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Omani mountaineer Nadhira, American climber Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Mr Wang and another foreign climber.
The ACP said it had received deeply concerning reports about the incident and confirmed that all members of the team had reportedly been out of contact since the avalanche.
The club said its President, Major General Irfan Arshad, along with senior leadership, was in constant contact with government authorities and relevant agencies to facilitate an immediate search and rescue operation.
“Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions,” the ACP said in a statement.
Sources at the Broad Peak base camp have also appealed for an urgent helicopter rescue mission after communication with the climbers was lost for several hours.
Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,047 metres, is located in the Karakoram range of northern Pakistan and is among the country’s most challenging peaks for high-altitude expeditions.
The ACP said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all stakeholders, adding that further updates would be shared as more information becomes available.
